You raise an excellent point, and for many this is the crux of the matter: We exist in a society and culture that values "feelings" over hard decisions. We are gregarious animals that think of ouselves relative to those around us, and not in a vacuum.
The idea that in a time of crisis we may have to turn away those in need is repulsive and horrifying (and indeed, goes counter to all that we have been programmed to believe the last 50 years by our liberal culture), but to simply stick your head in the sand and ignore this horriying concept(like my wife, for instance) does a disservice to everyone you love. This is because someday, the food that feeds your neighbors must be snatched from the hand of your child, and vice versa.
No one knows exactly what the future holds, but to mull over this philosophical point before it becomes a reality is very important, and may be the key to your survival in the Coming Hard Times.
I went through my entire family and made a mental list of the relatives I am willing to take in. Out of my side of the family, the answer is ZERO. They are Obama voters, and even their children are polluted by poor parenting and have bad attitudes/are obstinate. On my wifes side there are 3: My nieces, who are old enough and resposible enough to carry out simple tasks without supervision, and may theoreticaly bring a high dowry in the future (toeheads, yay!). All my/my wife's other family members are on their own, as I cannot support them and my own family without some of us dying, and I will not accept anyone into my home who is not willing to obey me. I explained this to my wife, and it made her cry.
My wifes family is over 2,000 miles away from us. In a SHTF scenario that might as well be the far side of the moon.
Now 'friends', they're another story. If I had a nickel for every time a 'friend' said "If things ever go to sh* I'm coming here." meaning my place.
I've responded that they damn well better not show up empty handed or I'll show them the highway the same way I would any stranger. I told them I'm not going to do for them what they should have been doing for themselves.
A couple of them have wised up and started making their own preparations. One guy actually said he'd have to re-evaluate our relationship. "Fine" was all I said.
L
My wife was also sad when I told her the only people we will take in is my defenseless grand-children. She said okay (self-preservation is the quite the motivator). She often asks if the 12 gauge is ready...am I lucky or what?
I have repeatedly told her grown daughter and my (2) grown children they should be prepared, especially with weapons. However, they would rather spend their limited finances on playing, eating out, big-screens, etc. I tried, but they say I'm paranoid. May be, but when some low-life tries a home invasion...or if the big Cali quake happens...or if society falls apart for any other reason, they will be on their own.
Nitro-Pak is one of the best survival sites on the Web. If you don't want to deal with cannning, rotate beans and rice, and have the money...check out Mountain House freezed dried food that has a 30 year life shelf. We have a year supply. Don't come knocking...you will be looking down the barrel of a Remington 00 shotgun.
well I’ve got bama voters in my family too but I’d take them in....we can sleep maybe a dozen or so if we had too....and plenty of toliets.....I’d do what I have to do....